Subscribe to newsletterx

French to take on Toyota

There is a good reason Toyota is such a dominant automotive brand in South Africa: and it has surprisingly little to do with cars.

Hilux/Fortuner outsell everything and if you are a taxi operator, well, the only thing that’s changed in the last decade is that Quantum replaced Hi-Ace.

Mass mobility and utility motoring in South Africa is unashamedly Toyota dominated – and not without justification. Toyota’s utility vehicles are robust and operator proof, crucial elements in testing South African conditions where the load case burdening bakkies and taxis make most other market standards appear timid.

It is with a touch of mirth, then, that we take notice of a French manufacturer’s intent to sell 1000 taxis a year. Yes, that’s right: Citroen believes its new range of Relay buses will supplant the all-conquering Quantum. Right…

PRETTY GOOD SPEC

On offer from Citroen are a range of taxis based on the Relay platform, powered by either 2.2-litre engines (good for 74kW/250Nm and 88kW/320Nm) or a 3-litre turbodiesel producing 115kW and 400Nm. The important bit, though, is carrying capacity: the 2.2s carry 15 or 16 passengers and the 3-litre HDi can move 19.

Pricing? Entry level is the 74kW 2.2 HDi 15-seater, retailing for R305 900, with the 3-litre 19-seater at R369 900. All complete with the regulation South African flag graphic along the flanks. Nice.

All told, though, is it better than Toyota’s Quantum ten or 14-seaters? Good question. Quantum Sesfikile is powered by a 75kW/250Nm D-4D engine and retails for R318k, which is similar power, but less utility for about the same money as Citroen’s Relay 2.2s.

Fans

Subscribe

4330followers

0likes

A properly South African print version of the world's best car show.
Top Gear South Africa features all best musings of Jeremy, Hamster and Captain Slow blended with an uniquely Top Gear take on car culture.
Factually relevant with fearless, impartial features. It’s the best motoring publication in Mzanzi: proudly South African with a classic Top Gear tongue-in-cheek twist.